Dave Routledge

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Mending Wall ByRobert Frost

Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, And spills the upper boulders in the sun, And makes gaps even two can pass abreast. The work of hunters is another thing: I have come after them and made repair Where they have left not one stone on a stone, But they would have the rabbit out of hiding, To please the yelping dogs. The gaps I mean, No one has seen them made or heard them made, But at spring mending-time we find them there. I let my neighbor know beyond the hill; And on a day we meet to walk the line And set the wall between us once again. We keep the wall between us as we go. To each the boulders that have fallen to each. And some are loaves and some so nearly balls We have to use a spell to make them balance: 'Stay where you are until our backs are turned!' We wear our fingers rough with handling them. Oh, just another kind of out-door game, One on a side. It comes to little more: There where it is we do not need the wall: He is all pine and I am apple orchard. My apple trees will never get across And eat the cones under his pines, I tell him. He only says, 'Good fences make good neighbors'. Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder If I could put a notion in his head: 'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn't it Where there are cows? But here there are no cows. Before I built a wall I'd ask to know What I was walling in or walling out, And to whom I was like to give offence. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, That wants it down.' I could say 'Elves' to him, But it's not elves exactly, and I'd rather He said it for himself. I see him there Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed. He moves in darkness as it seems to me~ Not of woods only and the shade of trees. He will not go behind his father's saying, And he likes having thought of it so well He says again, "Good fences make good neighbors."

Monday, July 03, 2006

FAREWELL FRED: THE FINEST FAST BOWLER EVER TO DRAW BREATH. 1931-2006.

Fredrick Sewards Trueman, the greatest fast bowler in the history of test cricket, died of cancer on Saturday. Cricket is a love of mine, which, up until now, I have not blogged about. Over the next few days I am going to put that right.

I shed a tear on Saturday, a genuine tear; for someone who I never met, never knew and furthermore, never in the flesh saw play, the most beautiful and civilised game that God has provided man the ingredients to devise.

He was fiercely proud to have played for his country, and when he did, he gave every ounce he had. It seems ironic that such a man should die on the same day that another England team, payed thousands of pounds to do so, gave such a lack lustre and ill-disciplined performance,even being incapable of putting the ball in the back of the net from twelve yards. Fred managed to remove 300 batsmen in only 67 test matches, from twenty two yards.

I think the above picture of his graceful action speaks for itself. He was the finest exponent of a beloved game; he was also a fellow Yorkshireman. I hope that somwhere along the road he acknowledged Jesus as his saviour and is now in paradise.

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Ayley Croft Update

As you can see we are making progress on refurbishing the childrens area. In the picture are Linda, who is the licensee for the hall, and Nick, my good friend and fellow decorator. The next stage will be to install the games and activities.

Please pray that God will continue to bless the work, and that He will continue to draw the people on the estate to Himself. It would be fantastic if salvation were to break out. In particular, please pray for Linda, as she is hoping to come to church on Sunday.

As I am sure most of you know by now Adrian has shingles, which must be bad because he has even temporarily closed down his blog. I saw him on Sunday as I brought his children back from spending the afternoon with us, and whilst in good spirits, he appeared to be confined to the sofa. After telling me he had managed to watch the England game, the following exchange took place.

Adrian: "Did they play well?"

Me: "Well, they weren't at their best, but I think it was an improvement on the Sweeden game. Still, Rooney lasted 90 minutes, and showed a glimpse of what he can do. we will need to better if are to beat Brazil, Argentina or Germany, but on the whole I was.......

Adrian (interrupting). "Stop! I meant the kids. Did the KIDS play well together?"

One day he will understand.

So lets pray for our brother in his time of discomfort; It would be great to see him back to form. Meanwhile Adrian, "count it all joy", and use your "sofa time" wisely.

Thursday, June 22, 2006

The above pictures were taken during the England v Sweeden game on Tuesday evening;as you can see they clearly demonstrate the Prince of Blogger's interest in the beautiful game.

Several righteous and upstanding members of Jubilee Church reported hearing the following comments.

Adrian to his son Henry (30 seconds after the start of the match) ; "I thought England were playing"

Henry to Adrian: "They are Dad."

Adrian to Henry. "Where son? All I can see are a team in yellow and a team in red, and England play in white."

Adrian to anyone in earshot (after Frank Lampard shoots just wide) . "That would have gone in if the goals were a bit wider."

Adrian to Henry ( at the atart of the second half). "Oh! I get it; England keep changing the colour of their shirts; first white, then red, and now yellow."

To his credit however, he was the only person in the room who correctly diagnosed Michael Owen's injury some 48 hrs before it was confirmed by the press. With one eye on his blackberry, and the other casting a cursory glance on Mr. Owen writhing about in his agony throes, Doctor Warnie, with an air of supreme nonchalance, announced: "there goes his anterior cruchet ligament."

If only he had said something like..."Oh no! What will England do now? That Donkey Crouch will have to come on, and we will have to resort to a long ball game. Why on earth didn't Eriksson, pick Defoe or Bent instead of Walcott." (which is pretty much what everyone else in the room said. But then that is the languge of football, and one The Prince does not speak.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

World Cup Warnie

My friend in the picture needs no introduction to anyone who has a passing interest in the Christian blogsphere; but in case you haven't heard, he is none other than The Prince of Bloggers, Doctor Adrian Warnock, or, "Warnie" as he is affectionately known.

On Sunday he preached an outstanding sermon about there" being no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." You might think that such an amazing sermon was the work of hours of labour. Not so my friends, he compiled all his sermon notes whilst keeping one eye on the England v Paraguay game!!

Had he kept both eyes on the game he might not have had to ask Kemi (our pastor's wife) the following questions (all overheard by yours truly).

1. (20 minutes into the first half) "which way are England kicking?"2."what is that yellow card the referee is holding up?"............that would be a yellow card Adrian.3. (To his son Henry at half time) "Are you enjoying the game Henry? Is Rooney playing well?"

Still, if he had kept both eyes on the game we may not have blessed with his most excellent sermon. God bless you my friend, and thaks for a wonderful message.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

These are my friends Clive (red shirt) and Martin (blue shirt). Clive recently turned 30, or in bingo speak, "Burlington Bertie". Martin, aka, "Shortie" has just celebrated his 40th birthday. Yes, that's right "Shortie is Forty", or in bingo speak "blind 40". Incidentally ladies, they are both single, and I am sure you will agree that they are two of the most handsome men in North London. But that is not what this post is about.

No, rather I need your help. My good friend Nick, in a very clever effort to evangalise to the old folk, has come up with the idea of holding a "Bible Bingo" evening.

So what we need are biblical phrases to go with the numbers, eg. God loves you...... Seventy Two. The Holy Trinity ......number three, you get the idea.

What we need are suggestions for all the numbers between 1 and 90. So if you think you can help , we'd love to hear from you.

Friday, May 12, 2006

This is me: I like cricketThis is my friend Dave: he likes the moviesThis is my friend Andy: he likes inventing thingsThis is my friend Clive: he likes photographyThis is my friend Nick: he likes squirrelsThis is my friend Angela: she likes chocolate

We all love Jesus, and every Sunday we like to tell the good people of Edmonton Green in North London, about Him. We offer them free cups of tea/coffee and bars of chocolate (if we can get the box off Angela), and we pray for them. It would fantastic if you prayed for us.

Perhaps you do something similar; if so tell me about it and we will pray for you.